Weight and Performance

boyfriday

Guys,

I have a general query that i couldn't find answered elsewhere on here - i found topics related to it but nothing to answer the query.

I weigh around 10st 2lbs and ride a Cannondale Prophet SL which i have brought down to around 24-25lbs (of competative cyclist's build kit calculator is accurate) and quite happily would race on it. However, i am considering purchasing a new full-sus xc frame and transferring parts across (maybe a Yeti ASR).

My query is therefore, can anyone provide an indication or details as to the difference dropping 1 or 2 lbs of bike weight would make. Will it make the bike vastly quicker, as essentially it will be a similar bike with identical parts when i transfer them over. It will be an expensive endeavour to change frames (and i really want a new one), but my concern is that the difference is going to be so marginal that it wouldn't be worth it at all and i should stick to what i've got.

Would it have the same effect as having a pre-ride pooh, and not carrying keys, mobile phone, coins and a mars bar (essentially the same weight saving).

Hope that the above query makes sense.

Thank you in advance.

Surf-Matt

It's all about compromise.

Lighter generally means more "skittish" and fragile.

I think there's a balance between weight and strength - I'd be seriously nervous battering down a hill on a sub 20lb super light machine.

There is a slight difference on climbs and with better acceleration but I think too many are too weight obsessed. Just pedal quicker.

Torres

As matt says, lighter generaly means weaker.
There's no point in reducing the weight by a few lbs, if you then become scared of breaking the bike. You could lose any time saved going up if you have to tip-toe down again.

I don't know if that helps/makes sense, but you need to have confidence your bike will not break, and i think that's better than any weight saving.

Remember it's not about the bike etc...

Chaka Ping

The Yeti won't just be faster because it's lighter, it will also have quicker geometry.

If you really want a new frame, and especially if you're planning to race, I'd say buying the Yeti is a smart more - provided you won't be putting an inappropriately long fork on it.

Also be aware the front mech and seatpost may not fit the Yeti.

FSR_XC

How much difference will 1-2lbs make?

Very little, if any.

Better frame will make some difference.

Being at optimal peak fitness will make much more.

supersonic

Depends where the weight is. Dropping my Zaskar from 24 to 22 pounds made a noticable diference to hills, acceleration and even handling. An example is this - ten pin bowling! We all have a ball that suits us best - for me 12 lbs. Use a 14 lb ball and I start to struggle, and 16lbs? Impossible. Use an 8lb, feels like a tennis ball! Yet we rarely notice increases in our own bodyweight, its the application.

But I do agree with some of the above statements on the strength (and cost) front. For a full susser, that is pretty light already, and you'll need to account what riding you do. I don't do jumps and drop offs anymore on the Zaskar - I have the Idrive and Ruckus for that, and they are 30lbs a piece. But I don't ride them as far!

crashtestdummy12

I'd say the weight differance will make quite a large difference-especialy when hung of a yeti ASR!
I demoed on of those and although it was only a little bit lighter than the top of the line Trek Fuel Ex9.5 I demoed, it was blisteringly fast-way faster than the Trek, both up and, oddly, down 8)

boyfriday

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.

When i bought the Prophet (specced as an all-mountain/freeride bike) i used it for that purpose until a nasty spill caused my bottle to crash slightly. I came from the "darkside" to mountain biking and enjoy climbing and technical features more akin to xc, as opposed to drop-offs and jumps.

I decided to give it an overhaul to turn it into a fast full sus xc bike, and all that remains is the original frame the day it was purchased. It's only now that i have completed it, that i am yearning for a new frame that will take all of the parts and put them to better use as a fast xc bike.

However, i understand the posts about weight and reliability and i fully agree. Recently i have been doing a lot of trail riding with the bike and knowing that it can handle things a little tougher than xc makes it feel quite good - going even lighter might compromise this and remove some of the freedom that i have to do whatever comes up on a day out.

Perhaps the upgrade can wait for a while yet. Thanks.

streako

Just race on your Prophet.

Experience will tell you if you need to change your frame or not.

I can still remember my first event on my CF Scott Scale. I was passed by loads of heavier guys on heavier bikes than mine.

Billyounger

A goodbreakfast will mess the whole thing up, get out and race

Happy days